In his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of The South Karelia Social and Health Care District in Finland, Dr. Itkonen leads a community-wide integrated organisation that employs over 5,000 people. He manages acute care, primary care, social well-being services and services for elderly people in the district.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Itkonen was the former Development Manager in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland. He played a pivotal role in facilitating structural and managerial changes at the national level, following the flow of information and communication technologies into social and healthcare organisations. He was the responsible director to develop the e-prescribing and e- archieving system in Finland. His portfolio also includes directing the North Karelia Hospital District in Finland and managing specialised healthcare in the region.

Mr Itkonen received his degrees from the University of Tampere and the University of Kuopio in Finland. In addition, he has written several articles on structural changes of healthcare in the society.